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Dollywood is a family adventure theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, named after country music singer Dolly Parton. Dollywood sits in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and spans 125 acres. With amusement park rides for people of all ages, family entertainment, historical displays and festivals throughout the year, Dollywood has something fun and exciting to offer each member of the family.

Amusement Park Rides

Dollywood is home to numerous roller coasters, including its famous wooden roller coaster called the Thunderhead. The adventure park refers to it as "the wildest ride in the woods." Dollywood also has water excursions like the Mountain Slidewinder, a water toboggan adventure; family rides like the Barnstormer Thrill Ride; and kiddie rides like the Amazing Flying Elephants, Lucky Ducky and Busy Bees. The Demolition Derby provides bumper car excitement for kids and adults.

Live Entertainment

If you enjoy country music, Dollywood might be the place for you. The theme park features live stage shows with musicians performing country, bluegrass, mountain, classic rock, 50s tunes and gospel music. Demonstrations of historical crafts like blacksmithing, wagon making and wood carving by master craftsmen and artisans take place daily. Live entertainment and demonstration schedules are available up to one week in advance.

Festivals

Dollywood hosts five of the largest annual festivals in the South. The Festival of Nations is a month-long celebration of food, music, dance and customs from cultures around the world. KidsFest is a day just for the kids and the largest of its kind in the South. During late summer, enjoy your favorite bluegrass bands and barbecue at the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival. Other festivals include the National Southern Gospel and the Harvest Celebration festivals.

Special Attractions

You might want to check out the replica of Dolly Parton's childhood home or her former tour bus, Dolly's Home-on-Wheels, now parked at Dollywood. The Southern Gospel Museum Hall of Fame helps to preserve the legacies of pioneers in this genre of music. The Calico Falls Schoolhouse shows visitors what life was like in the one-room schoolhouses of the 19th century. Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 30,000-square-foot aviary, houses a large number of non-releasable bald eagles.